Success!!!! The 28 piece punch set fro HF for $9.50 worked like a charm. The diff is out of the car. On first inspection, I don't see anything wrong with the bearings, but, from what I have read, that isn't that unusual. Still haven't examined the one behind the section with the 4 allen bolts.
About 4 hours spent to get to this point.
I do have some questions:
1) I never removed the adjusting washer in the diff case. If I am not replacing it, is there any reason for me to remove it?
2) What should I use to clean out transmission fluid from the case, cover, gears, etc.?
Edit: Answerd my own questions. Almost done reassembling everything.
I am just taking it to transmission shop. Can't imagine they'll charge me more than an hour of labor and I decided my packed garage can't store a big tool that I will most likely use once every five years.